Tasty Recipes from Recipe Wizards

Prep time: 40 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Serves 20 to 25

This rich lasagna is the perfect comfort food. It makes a great make-ahead dish, perfect for a large holiday gathering. From "The New Lasagna Cookbook."

INGREDIENTS

Sauce:

10 cups béchamel sauce (see recipe above)

Filling:

2 pounds pancetta, diced

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup white wine

1 cup chopped parsley

1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan

1 cup grated pecorino Romano

Salt and pepper

Noodles:

4 pounds penne, slightly undercooked and drained

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare filling:

In a medium skillet, cook the pancetta. Add garlic. Add wine and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 18-by-13 1/2-by-3-inch baking dish. Spread a layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of the dish. Add half the pasta to the pan. Top with half the remaining sauce and half the pancetta mixture.

Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan and pecorino. Top with remaining pasta.

Top with remaining pancetta mixture, sauce and cheeses. (Can be prepared one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Let lasagna come to room temperature before baking.)

Cover with foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Smaller version (serves 6 to 8)

Sauce:

4 cups béchamel sauce (see recipe)

Filling:

1/2 pound pancetta, diced

2 garlic gloves, minced

1/2 cup white wine

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 cup grated pecorino Romano

Salt and pepper

Noodles:

1 pound penne, slightly undercooked and drained

Assembly

Follow same directions as for larger version, except use a 13-by-9-by-3-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Decrease baking time to 20 to 30 minutes, covered with foil, and an additional 10 to 15 minutes uncovered. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Per serving based on 25: 508 cal.; 32 g pro.; 55 g carb.; 16 g fat (9 sat., 5 monounsat., 2 polyunsat.); 58 mg chol.; 847 mg sod.; 2 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 29 percent calories from fat.

Tags: 60 Minutes, Baking Dish, Cheeses, Chopped Parsley, Comfort Food, Cook Time, Cookbook, Garlic, Garlic Cloves, Grated Parmesan, Lasagna, Medium Skillet, Noodles, Pancetta, Pecorino Romano, Penne, Prep Time, Room Temperature, Salt And Pepper, White Wine